Lowe’s Home Improvement launched a massive holiday meal initiative across Western North Carolina, joining forces with local restaurants still recovering from recent storm damage to serve thousands of community members.
The retailer organized distribution points at six store locations, planning to provide 3,000 family-style Thanksgiving meals to area residents. At the Marion location, eager recipients arrived up to two hours before the scheduled start time.
The program specifically targeted restaurants that faced hardships during recent severe weather, including establishments that sustained damage or operated without water service for extended periods.
“This is huge,” said Brian Stouz, representing Zella’s Deli & Restaurant in Swannanoa. His business, like many others in the region, suffered significant economic setbacks when visitors were discouraged from traveling to the Asheville area during peak tourism season.
The initiative serves dual purposes: providing holiday meals to families while generating crucial business for struggling local restaurants. Many of these establishments continue working to recover from storm-related challenges that disrupted their normal operations.
The campaign highlights how larger corporations can support small businesses while serving community needs. By choosing to partner with storm-affected restaurants rather than national catering services, Lowe’s investment stays within the impacted communities.
Local residents demonstrated the program’s importance through their early arrival times, forming lines at distribution sites well before the scheduled start time.
The partnership between the home improvement giant and local eateries exemplifies how businesses can collaborate to address community needs during challenging times, particularly as the holiday season approaches.
